I live in a very warped world.
You see, most of my local mom friends (and blog-friends, for that matter) are directly linked to the fact that we all have twins. The percentage of my mom-friends with twins is drastically out of proportion with reality.
Between my own experience of a twin pregnancy and those of my friends, I know entirely too many people whose babies have spent varying durations in one NICU or another. I know so many 28- and 30- and 32-weekers who have spent months in the hospital. Even though my babies were a full 36 weeks, that single, uneventful week in the special-care nursery was enough to dramatically alter my early parenting experience. As kind and skilled as the nurses and doctors were, I hope they will not take offense to the fact that I have zero desire to make their acquaintance again.
Having carried twins to 36 weeks, I suppose it would stand to reason that I should easily be able to make it to 37-39 weeks with a singleton (my repeat c-section will be scheduled for around 39 weeks). But I know better than to think there is any such promise made or implied by my previous pregnancy.
And so, here I am, in what feels like the red zone of “viability.” God, what a word. It seems like it should be positive, optimistic, full of possibility. But the mere fact of having to say it out loud makes it awful. I am nearly 28 weeks pregnant. I have friends with 28-weekers, and while I know their long-term outcomes are often good, especially with the quality of care here in Boston, I also know that every week on the inside past 28 makes exponential differences.
But man, I wish I was blissfully ignorant of this risk. I just want to go to the hospital, have my baby drama-free, and then go home together a few days later. Is that so much to ask?
I’ll be over here on the couch, lying on my left side and drinking lots of water, and trying to be grateful for every week that passes.
It is hard to shake the “preterm labor” feeling. I am 36 weeks tomorrow and don’t feel anywhere near a birth…but I still have that niggle that any second I could sit up and my water could break. I really have no desire to go 10 days overdue, either though…
38 weeks would be nice…you know, if anyone is listening up there….
Kristen recently posted..Inspiring Creativity
Not to get all after-school special on ya, but I really do believe that in cases like this “the more you know” is your benefit. I was utterly clueless about preterm labor signs/symptoms and the realities of prematurity and I ended up with a 26-weeker (singleton). As much as it stinks to be aware of the realities, I think it gives you an advantage. You know to be extra cautious when it comes to listening to your body, and I’ll doubt you’d be like me and not call the doc for fear of being labeled a reactionary FTM. (Ah, hindsight…)
Stay healthy.
How are you 28 weeks already? WOW!
LauraC recently posted..The kids never need to know the whole story
My placenta was crap, so from 18 weeks on I had sometimes three times weekly monitoring. I remember going home for Christmas that year and being 23 weeks and insanely anxious.
My aunts and cousins wanted to talk pregnancy and babies nonstop. I couldn’t. Not a one of them had any idea that 24 weeks was viability, nor did they understand my anxiety. Oh to be blissfully unaware!
Erin K recently posted..Moving on up
my twins were 30 weekers and spent 8 weeks in the nicu and our son has motor delays due to his prematurity. now i am 18 weeks pregnant with a singleton and freaking out over preterm labor even though my doctors think i will be able to go further with one baby. but i agree knowledge is power, this time around i am getting progesterone shots and monthly cervix checks. but i hear ya, i just wanna lie on my side and drink water, too! good luck!
I was on bed rest with Michael from week 32 til he was born at week 38 after being induced. Then with the twins I was on bed rest from week 23 til they were born at week 35. I will not be getting pregnant again, but at least if I were, I would be more aware than I was with either prior pregnancy. Even though knowledge is power, I know that I would still be nervous as the weeks progressed. I’m sure you’ll do great!
Amy recently posted..Sleep and Christmas
I am so with you here. I am always convinced that after 28 weeks (when I went into labor with my twins) that birth is going to happen any second.
When people tell me they are 37 weeks pregnant I always say “Good Job!” I know they think I’m crazy.
Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah recently posted..Muppets and Gangsta Rap Go Together Like…
It’s weird how that last month of a second pregnancy drags when you had a twin pregnancy that was early. Ned and Penny were full term at a day shy of 37 weeks (only earlier than 38 because they thought Ned was a tad small, the irony). I remember thinking with Josephine that the pregnancy would never be over and was excited to be scheduled for 39 weeks and have an end date. With toddlers that last month is exhausting! But we are lucky to have it… and you will be too!
Mommy, Esq. recently posted..Spica Casts- Lessons Learned So Far
Huh, I never really worried about preterm labor, and I guess I didn’t need to, as F and J were a scheduled c at 39 weeks…I guess I figured since I had so much difficulty getting pregnant, that something had to be easier and for me that was going full-term. Their combined birth weight was 14 1/2 lbs.
Ironically, I was born at 32 weeks weighing 4.2oz’s. Hurrah for former preemies!
Krissy recently posted..Its Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
As you know, I have two singleton’s. Sydney was five days late. Elijah was 2 days late. Most women I know delivered right on time or late. You are doing great. Whatever happens, it will be ok. Hang in there. (Love.)
Kami recently posted..My Car is the Sh!t
It is not too much to ask for a worry-free pregnancy and delivery. You and your singleton are in our prayers/thoughts each evening for exactly that when Katie does her bed time routine. I think you’ll do just fine and as you know, each and every week gains that little girl all kinds of benefits, so keep it up!
I had the exact same paranoia after having twins at 35 weeks. My third was born at 38 weeks and 6 days… by then I was ready for her to get the *&*^% out! I found it funny how my tune changed as time passed.
And it is the greatest moment ever when your baby is able to leave the hospital WITH you. You will love it.
Good Luck!
I had twins a few weeks early, 36 1/2 weeks, induced. And yes was anxious and hyper aware for the whole twin pregnancy. Then got pregnant a little sooner than planned with a singleton and went all the way to 41 weeks! I was so over pregnancy at that point! My dr. said she thought my body was just not impressed with one baby and didn’t think it was time to deliver so they had to induce me. So don’t be too worried, be aware, but not worried because there’s a good chance you’ll make it to 39 weeks with nary a real contraction!
arg. that’s what happens when you know too much, right?? just take care of yourself and stay relaxed. enjoy some trashy tv or people magazines
xx
April recently posted..MIA
I’d be terrified if I were pregnant again. I just didn’t consider myself “at-risk” when I was carrying my girls.
I have a friend who’s expecting twins and was just diagnosed with gestational diabetes. It’s that much more scary.
Sadia recently posted..Imagination and reality
I felt paranoid during most of my pregnancy, too. I think some of it has to do with the pervasiveness of information out there, and whether or not you’re the type of person to think about worst-case scenarios. It didn’t help that I had gestational hypertension for much of my third trimester and was constantly worrying about preeclampsia.
Curious: Did you ever consider a VBAC? (I had a c-section because Audrey was breech, and wonder whether I might try for a VBAC in the future.)
Take care of yourself!